My psychotherapeutic approach is based on the assumption that everyone has the potential to access and live out their abilities and their dreams. There are many reasons people grow up without proper psychological nurturance and support. Consequently, their inherent potential may become compromised. These compromises in the form of self protective behaviors are usually earnest attempts at trying to avoid further shame and hurt. For instance, if a student with attention and distractibility problems struggles in school, he may give up on academics to avoid feeling stupid. This often happens to people who are very smart. Avoidance of academics is self protective in that it removes the anticipated threat of humiliation and potential failure. Yet avoidance and other such self protective behavior can impede growth. Psychotherapy can help someone understand and change these protective strategies and propel them along an authentic developmental path.